Fruit Wedge Containment Clip For Beverage Bottle

ABSTRACT

A fruit wedge containment device having a bottle rim coupling component and a wedge containment arm. The bottle rim coupling component is shaped for securing the containment device to a rim of a bottle. The containment arm extends angularly downward from a lower, interior end of the rim coupling component. The wedge containment device is secured to the rim of the bottle. A fruit wedge is inserted into the bottle, being secured between the interior surface of a neck of the bottle and the containment arm. A hook can optionally be formed at the distal end of the containment arm. Alternatively, a single hook, a series of hooks, or any other frictional feature can be incorporated along the containment arm for aiding in holding the fruit wedge in place. A promotional image can be provided on the device, such as via a promotional medallion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method forcontaining a fruit wedge proximate a bottle spout. More particularly,the present disclosure relates to a clip that secures to a rim of abottle, the clip comprising a cantilevered arm for retaining a fruitwedge against an inner sidewall of a bottle proximate the bottleopening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fruit wedges have been introduced into drinks for both decorativepurposes as well as flavoring adjustments. Fruit wedges are defined asany cut portion of a fruit for use in adorning and/or flavoring abeverage. Fruit wedges are normally cut into wedge shaped portions of asphere, but can be cut into cubes or any other shape.

One commonly used means for introducing the fruit wedge is by slicingthe fruit center and placing the slice of the wedge over the lip of thebottle. This is known to cause interference when the drinking party isconsuming the beverage. Fruit contains an acid, which can irritate aperson's skin when in contact with the fruit. By placing the fruit ontothe rim of the bottle, the location significantly increases thelikelihood of the drinking party contacting the fruit wedge, thus theacid contacting the consumer's skin.

Several embodiments are taught to relocate the fruit wedge away from therim of the bottle.

The first means is to simply insert the fruit wedge into the bottle, andsince the neck of the bottle is normally tapered, the fruit wedge fallsinto and floats on the beverage. This allows the fruit juice and bitterflavor from the rinds to saturate into the drink, which provides adifferent flavor when compared to passing the drink across the fruitwedge. When passing the fluid across the fruit wedge, the drink obtainsa consistent and more desirable flavoring.

A second embodiment incorporates a fruit slice receptacle within a neckof the bottle. This requires retooling for bottles. The design furtherrequires that the fruit slice be compressed while it is being insertedthrough the rim of the bottle. This releases the fruit juices into thedrink.

Another known embodiment encapsulates a fruit wedge within a porousmaterial, the encapsulating body comprising a tether, which is securedto an upper portion of the bottle. This configuration allows the fruitwedge to move within the bottle, including a potential for impeding theflow of the drink while the person is consuming the beverage.

In yet another embodiment, an additive holder is provided. The additiveholder is sealed and stored within an upper portion of a bottle. Theuser can remove the seal from the additive container and mix theenclosed additives with the beverage. The additive holder is generallyremoved prior to consumption of the beverage.

Alternately, a citrus squeezer is known, wherein the citrus squeezer issecured to the rim of a bottle, a slice of fruit is inserted into theapparatus, and the user squeezes the two sides of the apparatus toextract the juice from the fruit slice. This apparatus is removed priorto consumption of the beverage. Further, the process mixes the fruitjuice with the beverage prior to consumption, providing a higherconcentration of the fruit juice within the beverage as compared topassing the drink across the fruit wedge just prior to consumption.

Therefore, a fruit wedge containment device, which limits the transferof fruit juice and moreso, the acids from the rind/skin to a beveragewithout causing irritation to the consumer or interfering with thedispensing of the fluid, is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to a device for holding afruit wedge proximate an opening of a bottle.

In some embodiments, the fruit wedge containment device may include:

-   -   a bottle rim coupling component; and    -   a cantilevered arm extending downward at an angle sufficient for        compressing a fruit wedge against an interior wall of a neck of        a bottle.

In another aspect, the present invention can further comprise a hookformed in a distal end of the cantilevered arm.

While in yet another aspect, the hook can be provided at any reasonablelocation along the length of the cantilevered arm, including projectingfrom a major surface or along an edge for aiding in gripping the fruitwedge. It is also understood that a plurality of hooks or otherfrictional shape can be incorporated along the cantilevered arm.

In still another aspect, bottle rim coupling component comprising “U”shaped feature.

In yet another aspect, the bottle rim coupling component comprisinground shaped feature having a rotational surface that is greater than180 degrees for securing the apparatus to a rounded rim of the bottle.

In a still further aspect, the apparatus further comprises a surface forplacement of a promotional image.

In another aspect, the surface for placement of a promotional image isprovided as an enlarged component, having a surface that issignificantly wider than the general shape of the other components ofthe device.

Continuing with another aspect, the promotional image component isincorporated into the device, extending from the bottle rim couplingcomponent.

In a still further aspect, the promotional image component extends froman exterior portion of the bottle rim coupling component, placing thepromotional image component on an exterior of the bottle.

In yet another aspect, the bottle rim coupling component is shaped suchto contour to a threaded rim of a bottle.

With another aspect provides the bottle rim coupling component in acircular ring shape having a cylindrical projection extending downwardfrom an internal edge of the ring. The downward projection engages withthe interior edge of the bottle opening, extending into a neck of thebottle.

In another aspect, the device is formed having a cross sectional shapethat is selected from a group consisting of:

-   -   a. A rectangular cross sectional shape,    -   b. A circular cross sectional shape,    -   c. An oval cross sectional shape,    -   d. A “C” shaped cross sectional shape,    -   e. A “D” shaped cross sectional shape, and    -   f. A combination of any two or more members thereof.

In still another aspect, the device further comprising a verticalcomponent extending downward from the bottle rim coupling component,which is seated against an interior wall of the bottle, having thecantilevered arm extending from a lower end of the vertical component.The vertical component being provided to aid in applying a containmentforce to the fruit wedge.

While in another aspect, the present invention includes a method ofcontaining a fruit wedge proximate a bottle opening, wherein the methodapplies a holding force to a fruit wedge securing the fruit wedgeagainst the interior surface of the neck of a bottle. The holding forceis provided via a cantilevered arm, which is secured to a rim of thebottle.

In yet another aspect, a second protrusion is incorporated along thecantilevered arm, the second protrusion acting in conjunction with thedistal hook providing the functionality of a bottle opener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elementsand in which:

FIG. 1 presents an isometric view of a fruit wedge containment device asviewed from an interior side of the device;

FIG. 2 presents an isometric view of the fruit wedge containment deviceof FIG. 1 as viewed from an exterior side of the device;

FIG. 3 presents a top view of the fruit wedge containment device of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 presents an elevation view of the exterior side of the fruitwedge containment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 presents an elevation view of the interior side of the fruitwedge containment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 presents a bottom view of the fruit wedge containment device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 presents a first side view of the fruit wedge containment deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 presents a second side view of the fruit wedge containment deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 presents a sectional elevation view of the fruit wedgecontainment device shown being used within a bottle;

FIG. 10 presents an isometric view of the fruit wedge containment deviceinstalled upon a rim of a bottle;

FIG. 11 presents an isometric view of a fruit wedge containment deviceincorporating a second protrusion is incorporated along the cantileveredarm, the second protrusion acting in conjunction with the distal hookproviding the functionality of a bottle opener; and

FIG. 12 presents an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodimentof a fruit wedge containment device incorporating a rim mounting ringand a frictional fruit securing feature.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”,“lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

A fruit wedge containment device 100 is presented via a plurality ofviews in FIGS. 1 through 8. The fruit wedge containment device 100 isformed having two primary components: a containment arm portion 110 anda bottle rim coupling component 120. The bottle rim coupling component120 is provided for coupling the fruit wedge containment device 100 to abottle rim portion 210 of a beverage bottle 200 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Thecontainment arm portion 110 extends from the bottle rim couplingcomponent 120. The fruit wedge containment device 100 is preferablyfabricated of a molded, bendable plastic (or similar) material allowingthe fruit wedge containment device 100 to flex as required for use. Itis understood that other plaint materials, such as metal, plastic coatedmetal, glass impregnated plastic, composites, wood, and the like can beused. The fruit wedge containment device 100 can be fabricated such tobe disposable or of a material that can be washed/disinfected for reuse.The bottle rim coupling component 120 is formed, having a shape thatcontours to the bottle rim portion 210. The bottle rim couplingcomponent 120 can include a rim clip feature 124 forming a bottle rimreceiver 122. The rim clip feature 124 is preferably in a rounded orsemi-rounded shape having a circumference that is greater than 180degrees. The rim clip feature 124 can be in any reasonable shape,including an inverted “U”, a partial “D”, a rotated “C” and the like.Alternately, a rim clip feature 124 can be of a circular shape, whichengages with the entire bottle rim 212 (FIGS. 9 and 10) or around theexternal surface of the neck of the beverage bottle 200. A verticalspring component 116 extends downward from an interior side of the rimclip feature 124 and a rim clip extension 126 extends downward from anexterior side of the rim clip feature 124. The two bottle grippingmember components 116, 126 are incorporated to aid in providing a springcantilevered force (referenced by arrow C) to the distal end of thecontainment arm 114. The distance formed between the two bottle grippingmember components 116, 126 is such to ensure the bottle rim receiver 122snaps onto and grips the bottle rim 212.

The containment arm portion 110 includes a containment arm 114 having anoptional hook 112 formed at a distal end thereof. The cross sectionalshape of the containment arm 114 can be rectangular (as shown),circular, oval, “D” shaped, or any other reasonable shape allowing thedesired flexure of the containment arm 114. The containment arm 114 canhave a width continuing from the width of the rim clip feature 124 orbroadens as illustrated. The width of the containment arm 114 can bedetermined by a variety of factors, including rigidity of thecontainment arm 114, fit for insertion into the bottle 200, the optionfor placement of promotional information along the surface of the arm114, and the like. The containment arm 114 can alternately include ahook or series of hooks at any reasonable location along the length ofthe cantilevered arm 114, including projecting from a major surface oralong an edge for aiding in gripping the fruit wedge. The hook 112 canhave a planar end (as shown), be shaped incorporating two tapered edgesforming a central point, include a series of teeth, and the like, to aidin gripping a fruit wedge 220 (FIGS. 9 and 10). It is also understoodthat a plurality of hooks or any other reasonable frictional shape canbe incorporated along the cantilevered arm 114.

The bottle rim coupling component 120 includes the rim clip feature 124as previously presented. The bottle rim coupling component 120 canoptionally include a secondary rim member contour 128 for contouring toa secondary rim feature 216 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the bottle rim portion210. The secondary rim feature 216 would be provided along a lower endof the rim clip extension 126.

It is desirable to maintain low costs for the establishments servingfood and beverages. One means for reducing costs is to supplement costsby providing a means for marketing other companies, products, services,and the like. In turn, the advertising party provides revenue to theestablishment, provides the devices to the establishment, and the like,to aid in reducing the overall costs of business. The fruit wedgecontainment device 100 can include a promotional medallion 130 having apromotional surface 132 for placement of promotional information 134.The promotional information 134 can include a name, logo, catch phrase,coupon, advertisement, and the like. The promotional medallion 130 canbe of any reasonable shape, including round (as shown), rectangular,contouring to a shape resembling the promotional item, and the like. Thepromotional information can be presented via a printing, a bossing(raised surface), an embossing (recessed surface), applied via a label,an insertion, and the like.

The method of use of the fruit wedge containment device 100 is presentedin FIGS. 9 and 10. The fruit wedge containment device 100 is coupled toa bottle rim portion 210 of a beverage bottle 200 by snapping the rimclip feature 124 over a bottle rim 212 of the bottle rim portion 210.The rim clip feature 124 forms a bottle rim receiver 122 for receivingthe bottle rim 212. A rim clip extension 126 extends downward from theexterior end of the rim clip feature 124. The vertical spring component116 extends downward from the interior end of the rim clip feature 124.The vertical spring component 116 and the rim clip extension 126increase the stability of the fruit wedge containment device 100 duringuse. The rim clip extension 126 is provided to engage with a rimrecession 214 located adjacent to the bottle rim 212. The containmentarm 114 extends angularly from a lower edge of the vertical springcomponent 116 and is of sufficient length to provide a springcantilevered force (referenced by arrow C) to the distal end of thecontainment arm 114. The optional hook 112 or other frictional featurescan be incorporated at the distal end of the containment arm 114 to aidin ensuring the fruit wedge 220 does not slip into the beverage. Bottles200 have a variety of configurations for the bottle rim portion 210. Theillustration presents a configuration having a secondary rim feature216, such as a bottle cap receiving thread. The fruit wedge containmentdevice 100 can include a secondary rim member contour 128 foraccommodating the secondary rim feature 216.

When the fruit wedge 220 is inserted through the bottle rim portion 210,into the interior of the beverage bottle 200, the fruit wedge 220 causesthe containment arm 114 to bend (referenced via the motion of arrow B).The original shape is presented in phantom (dashed lines), with theflexed shape being shown (solid lines). The flexure creates the springcantilevered force C, which holds the fruit wedge 220 against theinterior surface 204 of the bottle neck 202. It is understood the shapeof the containment arm 114 can be modified to accomplish the sameresults.

A central protrusion 142 can be formed along the containment arm 114 asillustrated in FIG. 11. The central protrusion 142 can be shapedproviding a centrally located hook 144 and a bottle opener grip 146. Thecentrally located hook 144 provides a second feature for securing thefruit wedge 220 in position. The bottle opener grip 146 is used inconjunction with the hook 112 as a bottle opener bottle opener 140. Thecontainment arm 114 would be fabricated of a material that suites therequired rigidity of the bottle opener 140. At least one aperture 118can be provided through the containment arm 114 as a means for allowingfluid to pass through the containment arm 114. The illustration presentsa circular shaped aperture 118, whereas it is understood the aperture118 can be of any shape, including circular, oval, square, rectangular,triangular, star shaped, key hole shaped, in the shape of a promotedobject or logo, and the like. The aperture 118 can be included providinga means for securing a flavor packet, a decorative object, and the liketo the containment arm 114.

An alternate exemplary embodiment is referred to as a fruit wedgecontainment device 300, being illustrated in FIG. 12. The fruit wedgecontainment device 300 is formed having a containment arm portion 310extending angularly downward from a bottle rim coupling component 320.The containment arm portion 310 is formed having a frictional feature312 disposed upon a containment arm 314. The frictional feature 312 ispreferably a series of ridges along either the edges (as shown) thecenter, or the entire fruit contacting surface of the containment arm314. A vertical spring component 316 is preferably disposed between thebottle rim coupling component 320 and the containment arm 314, whereinthe vertical spring component 316 is designed to rest against aninterior surface of a neck 202 of a bottle 200 (FIGS. 9 and 10) andprovide a sufficient spring support to the containment arm 314. Thebottle rim coupling component 320 is formed having a circular bottle rimedge receiver 322 in the shape and size of the bottle rim 212 (FIGS. 9and 10). If is preferred that a ring upper surface 326 of the circularbottle rim edge receiver 322 is rounded for comfort to the drinkingparty. The circular bottle rim edge receiver 322 can include features tosecure the bottle rim coupling component 320 to the bottle rim 212, suchas a bottle insertion ring 324. The bottle insertion ring 324 wouldextend downward, providing a frictional interface with the interiorsurface of the bottle rim 212. Alternately, the bottle insertion ring324 can be formed in a clip shape, engaging with the bottle rim 212. Thebottle insertion ring 324 can be circumferential or spacially designed.It is understood the containment arm 114 can incorporate a non-linearside edge including notches, semi-circular cutouts, and the like.

The term promotional image 134 is representative of any type of image134, including promotional images (logos, text, designs, etc.), personalidentification, instructions, and the like. A user can apply a personalidentification to the promotional surface 132 as a means for identifyingtheir particular drink. The promotional image 134 can be presented uponthe containment arm 114, the promotional surface 132 of the promotionalmedallion 130, or any other reasonable surface of the fruit wedgecontainment device 100. The image 134 can be printed, embossed,recessed, applied via decal, label, and the like.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalence.

1. A fruit wedge containment device, comprising: a bottle rim couplingcomponent comprising a rim clip feature being shaped to removably securethe wedge containment device to a rim of a bottle; and an elongatedcontainment arm extending angularly downward from the bottle rimcoupling component at an angle for containing a fruit wedge between aninterior surface of a neck of the bottle and a surface of thecontainment arm.
 2. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim1, wherein the bottle rim coupling component is formed having a curvedupper section being of at least 180 degrees for gripping the rim of thebottle.
 3. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim 1,wherein the bottle rim coupling component further comprises a secondaryrim member contour.
 4. A fruit wedge containment device as recited inclaim 1, the bottle rim coupling component further comprising at leastone bottle gripping member extending from an end of the rim clip featurefor contacting a surface of the bottle downward from the bottle rim. 5.A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim 4, wherein the atleast one bottle gripping member is incorporated between an interior endof the rim clip feature an upper end of the containment arm.
 6. A fruitwedge containment device as recited in claim 1, the wedge containmentdevice further comprising a fruit securing feature disposed upon thecontainment arm.
 7. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim1, the wedge containment device further comprising a hook disposed upona distal end of the containment arm.
 8. A fruit wedge containment deviceas recited in claim 6, the wedge containment device further comprising abottle latch disposed upon a central portion of the containment arm,wherein the bottle latch works in conjunction with the hook to functionas a bottle opener.
 9. A fruit wedge containment device as recited inclaim 1, the wedge containment device further comprising at least oneaperture provided through the containment arm.
 10. A fruit wedgecontainment device as recited in claim 1, the wedge containment devicefurther comprising a promotional image.
 11. A fruit wedge containmentdevice, comprising: a bottle rim coupling component comprising a rimclip feature being shaped to removably secure the wedge containmentdevice to a rim of a bottle; a vertical spring component extendingdownward from an interior end of the rim clip feature; and an elongatedcontainment arm extending angularly downward from a distal end of thevertical spring component at an angle for containing a fruit wedgebetween an interior surface of a neck of the bottle and a surface of thecontainment arm.
 12. A fruit wedge containment device as recited inclaim 11, wherein the bottle rim coupling component is formed having acurved upper section being of at least 180 degrees for gripping the rimof the bottle.
 13. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim11, wherein the bottle rim coupling component is formed in a shapeselected from a group consisting of: a. an inverted “U” shape forsecuring over a section of the bottle rim, b. a partial “D” shape forsecuring over a section of the bottle rim, c. a rotated “C” shape forsecuring over a section of the bottle rim, and d. a circular shape beingparallel to the bottle rim for resting upon an upper surface of thebottle rim.
 14. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim 11,wherein the bottle rim coupling component further comprises a secondaryrim member contour.
 15. A fruit wedge containment device as recited inclaim 11, the wedge containment device further comprising a hookdisposed upon a distal end of the containment arm.
 16. A fruit wedgecontainment device as recited in claim 11, the wedge containment devicefurther comprising a promotional image.
 17. A fruit wedge containmentdevice, comprising: a bottle rim coupling component comprising a rimclip feature being shaped to removably secure the wedge containmentdevice to a rim of a bottle; a rim clip extension projecting downwardfrom an exterior end of the rim clip feature; and an elongatedcontainment arm extending angularly downward from the bottle rimcoupling component at an angle for containing a fruit wedge between aninterior surface of a neck of the bottle and a surface of thecontainment arm.
 18. A fruit wedge containment device as recited inclaim 17, wherein the bottle rim coupling component is formed having acurved upper section being of at least 180 degrees for gripping the rimof the bottle.
 19. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim17, the wedge containment device further comprising an image medalliondisposed upon a distal end of the rim clip extension.
 20. A fruit wedgecontainment device as recited in claim 19, the wedge containment devicefurther comprising a promotional image disposed upon the imagemedallion.
 21. A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim 17,the wedge containment device further comprising a promotional image. 22.A fruit wedge containment device as recited in claim 17, the wedgecontainment device further comprising a hook disposed upon a distal endof the containment arm.